Printing device



Jan. 1, 1963 M. B. BEAVER PRINTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 24. 1960 I LEE-=- lINVENTOR. MILLARD B. BEAVER ATTORNEYS ilnited rates 3,tl'71,671lPRENTENG DEVECE Millard B. Beaver, 21M. Lawndale Ave, Fort Wayne, Ind.Filed (Bat. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 64,396 '7 Claims. (til. Nib-380) Thisinvention relates generally to printing devices, and more particularlyto a printing device employing type formed of resilient material, suchas rubber, for printing indicia on fiat, irregular or curved surfaces.

Commodities such as beverages, lotions, creams, pastes and the like areconventionally packaged in metal, plastic and cardboard containers andit is frequently desirable to imprint on such containers certainvariable indicia, such as a date code indicating the date of packaging.While printing devices employing rubber type have been provided for flatsurfaces or surfaces having a predetermined curvature, to the best ofthe present applicants knowledge such prior printing devices have notbeen capable of providing a satisfactorily distinct impression at a highrate of speed and on all types of surfaces.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to provide an improvedprinting device employing type formed of resilient material fordistinctly printing indicia at a high rate of speed on surfaces whichmay be fiat, irregular or curved.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved type holdercapable of supporting type formed of resilient material in such a mannerthat type will not be distorted thereby producin smearing when theprinting is performed on a flat, irregular or curved surface.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

My invention in a broader aspect provides a printing device having arigid type holder member and a segment of type formed of resilientmaterial having a generally H-shaped cross-section with the base and toplegs thereof joined by a bar portion. The type holder member has meansfor supporting the base leg of the type segment and a portion undercutbeneath the base leg so that the base leg may deform downwardly into theundercut portion while the ends of the base leg slide in the supportingmeans responsive to the application of downward force on the top leg ofthe type segment whereby the top leg is not distorted during theapplication of the downward force.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of obtaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of my invention taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the printing device whichincorporates my invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

MG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing thetype in its normal position; and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the type in its printingposition.

Referring now to Fl GS. 1 and 2, there is shown a wheellike type holdermember, generally identified at 10, having an outer rim portion 12 witha web portion 14 integrally adjoined thereto, rim and web portions 12and 14 being formed of any suitable metal, such as steel. A central hubportion 16 is provided, likewise formed of suitable metal, such assteel, having a portion 18 seated in opening 2%} in web 14 and a flangeportion 22 engaging one surface of web 14 and being secured thereto by aplurality of suitable threaded fastening members 24, as shown. Typeholder member 10 has a radial .11 26 formed therein extending inwardlythrough rim 12;, web 14 and hub member 16 with its inner surface 28being concentric with the center of curvature 3% of wheel ll slot 26 permits mounting the member 10 upon a rotatable shaft (not shown) withoutthe necessity for threading the same over the end of the shaft. In orderto provide for rotating the member in, a plurality of pins 32 areprovided seated in holes 34 in the hub member 16 and extending outwardlyon one side thereof, as seen in FIG. 2, for engaging correspondingopenings in a driving member secured to the shaft on which the memberll) is to be mounted.

Referring now additionally to FIG. 3, rim 12 of type holder member It)has a radially downwardly extending slot 36 formed in its outer face 38having opposite side walls 453 and 42 and a bottom wall 44. A pair ofannular slots 46 and 43 are respectively formed in side walls 4t; and 42of slot 36, slot 46 having radially outer and inner side walls 5t and 52and bottom wall 54, and slot 455 likewise having radially outer andinner side walls 56 and 58 and bottom wall 60. It will be seen thatbottom wall 44- of slit 36 is spaced radially inward from inner walls 52and 58 of slot 46 and 48 respectively thereby defining an undercutportion 62.

A segment of type 64 is provided formed of suitable resilient material,such as rubber, and having a generally Hshaped cross-section as shown;it will be understood that a plurality of such segments 64 may beprovided in predetermined spaced apart angular relationship as best seenin FIG. 1.

Type segment has ends 66 and 68 of its base leg '70 seated in theannular slots 46 and 48 and normally in engagement with the respectiveside and bottom walls. Bar portion 72 of type segments 64 extendsupwardly through slot 36 between side walls 40 and 42 and has top le 74joined thereto. The ends 76 and 78 of top leg 74 are spaced from sidewalls 4! and 42 of slot 36. It will be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 that in thenormal position of type segments 64 i.e. its position when a printingoperation is not being performed, the outer face 80 of base leg 79 isspaced from bottom wall 44 of slot 36 and the outer face- 82 of top leg'72 which has type face 84 formed thereon is spaced outwardly from face33 of rim 12.

Referring now to FIG. 4, when the type face 34 engages a surface 86 uponwhich an impression is to be made, downward force in the direction shownby the arrow 83 is exerted upon the type segment 6-; thereby causingbase leg 79 to deform downwardly into the undercut portion 62 and theends 66 and 68 of base leg 70 to slide away from bottom walls 64 and 6dof slots 46 and 48 thereby preventing distortion of the top leg 7 andthe type face 84.

It will now be readily seen that my invention permits the type to beforceably pressed against the surface being printed without causing thetype face to distort and thereby produce a smear instead of a clearimprint, all the distortion being taken by the base leg 70 whichdeflects downwardly into the undercut portion 62. An important featureof my invention is the capability of the ends 66 and 68 of the base leg76) sliding in the slots 46 and 48 during the application of downwardforce on the type segment and thus, since these ends are not restrained,there is no substantial stretching of the base leg 70 therebyeliminating fatigue of the rubber from which the type segment is formed.It will be seen that the provision of the undercut portion 62. and rim12 of type holder member 10 eliminates the cushion or lost motionsprings commonly provided in prior printing devices which become cloggedwith ink thus necessitating frequent cleaning. I have further found thatthe width of the inner sides 52 and 58 of slots 46 and 48 determines thecharacter and degree of flexibility of the type. Thus, by making sides52 and 58 relatively large, the flexibility of the type is decreased, adesirable characteristic when printing on absorbent material wherein amore forceable impre sion is required. Contrariwise, when the Width ofthe sides 52; and 58 is made relatively small, the flexibility of thetype segment is increased as is required when printing on hard surfacessuch as metal or plastic where no smearing can be tolerated and whereonly a kiss impression is desired.

While my improved printing device has been shown as being incorporatedin a wheel-like type holder useful in the production line imprinting ofindicia upon containers or packages, it will be readily understood thatmy invention is not limited to such an arrangement and that my improvedprinting device may be incorporated in a hand-operated device.

It will be readily understood that type segments 64- are removablyinserted in slots 36, 46 and 48 by initially inserting one end of baseleg 7% in a respective slot 36, 6t) and distorting this segment untilthe other end snaps into its corresponding slot.

While I have described above the principles of my invention inconnection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationof the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder having a firstdownwardly extending slot formed in one face thereof, said first slothaving opposite side walls and a bottom wall, the side walls of saidfirst slot respectively having second and third slots formed thereinintermediate their ends and each having opposite side walls and a bottomwall, the bottom wall of said first slot defining an undercut portionwith the adjacent side walls of said second and third slots, said secondand third slots extending transversely with respect to said first slotand being in alignment; and a segment of type formed of resilientmaterial and having a generally H-shaped crosssection, said segmenthaving a base leg With its ends respectively removably seated in saidsecond and third slots and normally engaging the side and bottom wallsthereof, the outer surface of said base leg being normally spaced fromsaid bottom wall of said first slot, said segment having a bar portionjoined thereto and extending upwardly from said base leg between saidside walls of said first slot, said segment having a top leg joined tosaid bar portion and normally having its outer face spaced outwardlyfrom said one face of said typeholder, said top leg being shorter thansaid base leg with its ends respectively spaced from said side Walls ofsaid first slot, said base leg deforming downwardly into said undercutportion and the ends of said base leg respectively sliding in saidsecond and third slots away from the bottom walls thereof responsive toapplication of downward force on said top leg.

2. A printing device comprising: a wheel-like member having an outer rimportion with a first annular slot formed in its outer face and extendingradially inward, said first slot having opposite side walls and a bottomwall, the side walls of said first slot respectively having second andthird annular slots formed therein intermediate their ends and eachhaving radially inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall, saidsecond and third slots being in transverse alignment, said bottom wallof said first slot being radially innermost thereby defining an undercutportion with the inner side walls of said second and third slot, saidmember having a central opening for rot-stably mounting the same on ashaft; and a segment of type formed of resilient material and having agenerally H-shaped cross-section, said segment having a base leg withits ends respectively removably seated in said second and third slotsand normally engaging the side and bottom walls thereof, the outersurface of said base leg being normally spaced from said bottom wall ofsaid first slot, said segment having a bar portion joined thereto andextending upwardly from said base leg between said side walls of saidfirst slot, said segment having a top leg joined to said bar portion andnormally having its outer face spaced outwardly from said one face ofsaid typeholder, said top leg being shorter than said base leg with itsends respectively spaced from said side walls of said first slot, saidbase leg deforming downward into said undercut portion and the end ofsaid base leg respectively sliding in said second and third slots awayfrom the bottom walls thereof responsive to application of downwardforce on said top leg.

3. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder having a downwardlyextending slot formed in a face thereof; and a segment of type formed ofresilient material and having a generally H-shaped cross-section withbase and top legs joined by a bar portion; said type holder having meansfor slid-ably supporting the ends of said base leg in said slot with theouter face of said base leg normally spaced from the bottom or" saidslot and with the outer face of said top leg normally spaced outwardlyfrom said face of said type holder, said top leg having its ends spacedfrom the sides of said slot; said base leg deforming downwardly towardthe bottom of said slot and the ends of said base leg sliding in saidsupporting means responsive to application of downward force on said topleg.

4. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member; and asegment of type formed of resilient material and having a generallyH-shaped cross-section with base and top legs joined by a bar portion;said member having means for slida'oly supporting said base leg, saidmember having a portion undercut beneath said base leg whereby said baseleg deforms downwardly into said undercut portion and the ends of saidbase leg slide in said supporting means responsive to the application of"downward force on said top leg.

5. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member having afirst slot extending downwardly from one face and having opposite sidewalls, the side walls of said first slot respectively havingtransversely extending second and third slots formed therein each havingopposite sidewalls and a bottom Wall of said first slot having anundercut portion formed therein; and a segment of type formed ofresilient material and having a generally l-l-shaped cross-section withbase and top legs joined by a bar portion, said base leg having its endsrespectively seated in said second and third slots and normally inengagement with the walls thereof, the outer surface of said base legbeing normally spaced from said undercut portion, said bar portionextending upwardly in said first slot and said top leg having its outerface normally spaced above said one face of said member, said top leghaving its ends respectively spaced from the side walls of said firstslot; said base leg deforming into said undercut portion and the ends ofsaid base leg sliding in said second and third slots responsive to theapplication of downward force on said top leg.

6. A printing device comprising: a wheel-like member having an outer rimportion with a first annular slot formed in its outer face and extendingradially inward, said first slot having opposite side walls and a bottomwall, the side walls of said first slot respectively having second andthird annular slots formed therein intermediate their ends and eachhaving radially inner and outer side walls and a bottom wall, saidsecond and third slots being in transverse alignment, said bottom wallof said first slot being radially innermost there-by defining anundercut portion with the inner side walls of said second and thirdslots; and a segment of type formed of resilient material, said segmenthaving a base leg with its ends respectively removably seated in saidsecond and third slots and normally engaging the side walls thereof, theouter surface of said base leg being normally spaced from said bottomwall of said first slot, said segment having a bar portion joinedthereto and extending upwardly from said base leg between said sidewalls of said first slot, said segment having a top portion joined touni-- said bar portion and normally having an outer face spacedoutwardly from said one face of said typeholder, said base leg deformingdownward into said undercut portion and the ends of said base legrespectively sliding in said second and third slots away from the bottomwalls thereof responsive to application of downward force on said topportion.

7. A printing device comprising: a rigid type holder member having afirst slot extending downwardly from one face and having opposite sidewalls, the side walls of said first slot respectively havingtransversely extending second and third slots formed therein each havingopposite sidewalls and a bottom wall of said first slot having anundercut portion formed therein; and a segment of type formed ofresilient material, said segment having 15 a base leg having oppositeends respectively seated in said second and third slots and normally inengagement 6 with the walls thereof, the outer surface of said base legbeing normally spaced from said undercut portion, a bar portion joinedto said base leg between the ends thereof, said her portion extendingupwardly in :said first slot, a top portion on said bar portion whichhas an outer face normally spaced above said one face of said member;said base leg deforming into said undercut portion and the ends of saidbase leg sliding in said second and third slots responsive to theapplication of downward force on 10 said top portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATES PATENTS1,039,131 Howard Sept. 24, 1912 1,669,909 Morse May 15, 1928 1,680,030Warnock Aug. 7, 1928 1,701,348 Wright Feb. 5, 1929

1. A PRINTING DEVICE COMPRISING: A RIGID TYPE HOLDER HAVING A FIRSTDOWNWARDLY EXTENDING SLOT FORMED IN ONE FACE THEREOF, SAID FIRST SLOTHAVING OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOM WALL, THE SIDE WALLS OF SAIDFIRST SLOT RESPECTIVELY HAVING SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS FORMED THEREININTERMEDIATE THEIR ENDS AND EACH HAVING OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOMWALL, THE BOTTOM WALL OF SAID FIRST SLOT DEFINING AN UNDERCUT PORTIONWITH THE ADJACENT SIDE WALLS OF SAID SECOND AND THIRD SLOTS, SAID SECONDAND THIRD SLOTS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST SLOTAND BEING IN ALIGNMENT; AND A SEGMENT OF TYPE FORMED OF RESILIENTMATERIAL AND HAVING A GENERALLY H-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION, SAID SEGMENTHAVING A BASE LEG WITH ITS ENDS RESPECTIVELY REMOVABLY SEATED IN SAIDSECOND AND THIRD SLOTS AND NORMALLY ENGAGING THE SIDE AND BOTTOM WALLSTHEREOF, THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID BASE LEG BEING NORMALLY SPACED FROMSAID BOTTOM WALL OF SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID SEGMENT HAVING A BAR PORTIONJOINED THERETO AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE LEG BETWEEN SAIDSIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRST SLOT, SAID SEGMENT HAVING A TOP LEG JOINED TOSAID BAR PORTION AND NORMALLY HAVING ITS OUTER FACE SPACED OUTWARDLYFROM AND NORMALLY HAVING ITS OUTER FACE SPACED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID ONEFACE OF SAID TYPEHOLDER, SAID TOP LEG BEING SHORTER THAN SAID BASE LEGWITH ITS ENDS RESPECTIVELY SPACED FROM SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID FIRSTSLOT, SAID BASE LEG DEFORMING DOWNWARDLY INTO SAID UNDERCUT PORTION ANDTHE ENDS OF SAID BASE LEG RESPECTIVELY SLIDING IN SAID SECOND AND THIRDSLOTS AWAY FROM THE BOTTOM WALLS THEREOF RESPONSIVE TO APPLICATION OFDOWNWARD FORCE ON SAID TOP LEG.